Family Affairs
Author's Note: I apologize for taking so long to update. For those of you that read my other story, you will know that I was very busy and then got sick over my winter break. I know that this chapter isn't very long...but I wanted to post something for my fantastic readers. I promise to try my very hardest to update more regularly...with longer chapters. Thank you so very much! Happy 2012!
The weeks that followed Theo and Draco's brawl were one's of tense akward silences and hushed conversations before classes and in the Slytherin Common Room. The incident had made the Slytherin ranks forget their old prejudices and cozy up to their formerly reigning prince, while Theo shrank back to the corners as he used to...
Astoria sighed in a resigned fashion as the train began to slow its pace as it reached its stop at King's Cross. Instead of spending the ride solely with Draco catching up on matters before they parted for break, she had listened to the boys (minus Theo) in Draco's year and a few of the girls prattle on-and-on over topics that she couldn't have given a fig about - resulting in her complete and utter lack of knowledge as to what exactly had been said.
"We're here..." Draco's voice softly broke against her thoughts as his lips stayed near her ears, a smile growing on his face. "I'm sorry you were so bored on the train ride back."
Astoria blushed and pursed her lips together as she gracefully stood up, her skirt swirling around her knees. "Bored? I wasn't bored at all."
"No?" Draco smirked as he toted her trunk with his, levitating them easily. "Is that so...Well then, what were we talking about?"
"Oh really! We can't rehash a long train-ride's conversation in just a moment." She frowned as he placed a kiss on her lips and snickered.
"I know you weren't listening; and I am sorry. I know how much you hate it when they interrupt your plans for us. I'll make it up to you, dear." He smirked as her lips narrowed into a thin line.
"Well, you had better. A whole train ride listening to Goyle, Blaise, Pansy, and Millicent?" She teased giving him an exasperated look. "I thought I was going to lose all of my brain cells...and then you'd never marry me; because really, nobody wants a stupid wife no matter how pretty she is unless they're daft too." She smirked cockily as he snickered.
"Why, you're certainly right Storia...Hmm, next time I'll have to keep you locked away in your own compartment." He choked back a snicker as she elbowed his side smilingly and made their way towards her parents. "Hello Mr. and Mrs. Greengrass." He smiled charmingly as he softly let Astoria's trunk float to the ground.
Mairead Greengrass smiled daintily, but genuinely as she softly squeezed Draco's arm. "It's so nice to see you again. Did you have a good semester?"
Burnell Greengrass grunted interrupting his wife with a sour look on his face. "It would've been better had Nott not beat him." He gave his wife a curt nod before she shot a small smile at Astoria. "Well, you don't have to worry about that happening again, son. I hold a lot of weight you see." His face formed into a shape that one could only describe as pleasant for him, considering the only people he ever actually smiled for were his family.
"Thank you Mr. Greengrass." Draco smiled as a feather-weight hand placed itself on his shoulder softly.
"Hello Burnell, Mairead." Narcissa half-smiled as she kept a light hold on her son. "Draco, dear, I'm afraid we have to be running. We have an appointment." She smiled fondly at her son before facing the Greengrass' again. "But we would love to have Astoria for tea later this week, if she's free?"
"Of course." Mairead smiled as Astoria gave a teasingly irritated smile Draco's way. "How about Thursday?"
"Sounds lovely." Narcissa smiled tightly as she half-turned on her heal. "See you then."
"See you soon." Draco smiled as he dropped a chaste kiss onto Astoria's cheek before easily reaching his Mother's side, keeping stride with her footsteps.
"Can we leave yet?" Daphne's peavishly clipped voice sliced through the air as she disheveldly appeared between the elder Greengrass'. "I have a horrid headache."
"Are you okay?" Mairead fussed sympathetically over her daughter as Burnell signaled to their new wizard butler to take the trunks, catching the crook of Astoria's arm with his - leaving Mairead to walk beside Daphne.
"I'm fine!" Daphne sniffed in a hushed voice even though her eyes were red-rimmed.
"I'll have Lodles make you some tea; and set you up in bed when we get home." Mairead rubbed her daughter's back in soothing circles. "Don't fret Darling, we'll be home soon." She smiled as Burnell and Astoria dissapeared in the flames of the fire.
The tall gates before Astoria loomed ominously as the bleak ground they held private seemed dead under the winter's drifting of snow. The past week had been full of being fitted for party dresses, having dinners in which Burnell and Theo quietly came to a sort of peace much to Daphne's delight. However, today was the proclaimed day of Astoria's first ever private tea date with Narcissa Malfoy; and the whole thing made Astoria entirely uncomfortable. She had no idea what to expect. She placed her hand softly against the cold metal before the wrought-iron apperaed to melt away for her entrance.
Narcissa Malfoy stared out across the field in front of Malfoy Mansion at the small girl walking up her walk-way. Normally, Narcissa would think it increadibly common to stare at one's guest as they came to the door for a servant to answer. However, since Astoria wouldn't be able to see her due to a charm on the window, she couldn't help herself - after all, this was all for her beloved only son's benefit.
"Miss. Greengrass." A house elf bowed until his nose reached the thick oriental rug at his feet before Astoria had even raised her hand to the door. "Can Hastel take Missus' coat?" The house elf stared at her wide-eyed before averting it's large beady eyes to the floor.
"Yes, thank you." Astoria smiled as she handed her coat over taking in the sparsely decorated home. The last time she had been at the Mansion around the holidays, holly and misteltoe hung everywhere that pine wouldn't fit on. However, today there was only a pine strip along the staircase banister and a poinsetta on the entry table.
"I can take her into Mother, Hastel." Draco's voice authoritatively caused the elf to bow and disappear with a crack. "I hope the trip over wasn't too cold..." Draco smiled as he took in Astoria's dark curls against the crimson on her dress. She looked beautful - even if she was wearing red...
"Of course not." Astoria smirked as she brushed her lips against his in a feather-light kiss before walking ahead of him. "Apparating isn't usually cold...just dizzying." Astoria couldn't help the laugh that escaped her mouth as Draco's eyes went wide.
"You're not seventeen yet!" He couldn't help the stunned response that escaped his mouth as Astoria shrugged grinning mischeviously.
"I suppose it's good that neither of us live near any muggles; and therefore no one knows that it was underage magic." She watched as Draco stared at her, an impressed gleam in his eyes.
"Well are you going to take me to your Mother...or just make me look increadibly late?" Adtoria's eyes twinkled as Draco pulled her to him and kissed her.
"Right this way then." He smiled as he looped her arm through his. "But after tea, come and find me. I've umm sort of...well it's been a while since I've seen you." He stared ahead, his mnouth set akwardly as he shifted.
"Oh, I see." Astoria winked. "You've missed me then." She grinned before slipping into the room before him and smiling shyly at his Mother, her former confidence checked at the door to the room.
"Hello Astoria." Narcissa smiled tightly as she stood up from her chair before giving her son a more open smile. "I see that Draco found you. Well he can see you later." She smiled at the two of them, as Astoria took the seat across from her and Draco excused himself. "I've known you since you were a baby; and yet this is the firt time I've ever really gotten a chance to speak to you." She smiled as she dutifully poured the tea. "I feel quite neglectful actually...after all, you'll soon be family."
Astoria smiled as she made her hands still in her lap by folding them. "There's no reason to feel that way, Mrs. Malfoy. I was young...before things happened...and well, now's the first chance we've had to meet that would make any sense."
"You're very kind in your assessment." Narcissa watched as the girl took extra care in holding her tea cup and sipping it the proper way. "No wander my son is so delighted with you."
"Thank you." Astoria beamed as Narcissa sat back. "You know, I think he's delightful too..." Astoria felt her cheeks and neck warm as she realised how casual and bold her statement was. Go figure she'd spoil her first tea with her future mother-in-law.
Narcissa couldn't help the foreign laugh that escaped her mouth. "I'm glad. Marraiges of love are much more pleasant than those of convenience. I had hoped Draco would have the same experience that I did." She smiled fondly as she drank some tea before assessing Astoria again. "I think we'll get along and like eachother better if we let all of these pretenses and formalities drop when we're alone...there's no reason we shouldn't be close to eachother in secret." Narcissa could feel the spark that she had had as a youth spark in her as the girl in front of her grinned.
"I'd like that very much." Astoria felt as if a weight had been lifted from her shoulders as she allowed herself to relax. "Maybe we could make Thursday tea dates a regular event when I'm home from school?" She watched as the pale face that she had at one time thought of as marble smile its first open smile at her.
"Yes. I'd like to get to know you well. After all, Draco tells me very little about anything. But when he does talk about you, I can tell that he loves you." She couldn't help the nostalgic feeling that swept over her as she thought about the fact that her son was no longer solely her's...
Astoria watched as the woman before her took on a somewhat sad face - making Astoria feel bad. Sure she didn't know Narcissa well, but she did know that the woman had always been kind to her...and somehow protective at times. "He does talk about you." She watched as Narcissa's eyes snapped up at this news. "He adores you, respects you wholely. And he can see the good things that you and Mr. Malfoy have did for him." She watched as Narcissa's eyes misted over.
"I'd like to show you something." Narcissa smiled as she stood up, her posture as perfect as ever. "An early birthday gift from myself." She smiled as she procured a navy jewelry box that she had hidden in case the meeting had surpassed her expectations. "It was a gift from my mother-in-law, Cadence, Lucius' mother."
"Thank you." Astoria's voice was soft as she lifted the lid carefully to find a large diamond bob earrings settled amongst the velvet. "They're stunning..." She didn't dare touch them in the event that she'd leave fingerprints.
"I thought so too." She smiled as she stared at the box in Astoria's hands. "But I think they'll go along very well with your hair and complexion." She smiled as a bell chimed in the distance. "Ahh, I'm afraid that's my cue to be somewhere else. Draco should be outside of the door waiting for you." Narcissa smiled as a she stood and led Astoria to the large oak doors.
"Thank you for everything."
"You're quite welcome." Narcissa smiled as she opened the door to her son. "Well, I won't keep you two apart any longer. I'll see you next Thursday then, Astoria." Narcissa smiled before walking away from the pair.
Draco stared at his Mother's retreating back before turning to look at Astoria, noting the box in her hand. "She likes you."
"You think?" Astoria smiled as Draco chuckled before kissing her deeply.
"I know so." He smiled as he pressed his head against her's. "What do you say to lunch?"
"I'm not sure my figure can take it...Daphne will be ready to chain me to the house if I gain any more weight before all of the parties..." She grinned as she teased; and he rolled his eyes as he pulled her towards the dining room.
"Daphne can go fly a broom then." He grinned as he leaned in towards her. "Besides, my opinion on you is the only one that matters."
"Says you." Astoria laughed at the jaded expression on Draco's face. "I'm teasing, Sweetie."
"You're such a comedian, Love, I can barely contain my laughter." He smiled as he took the seat across from her, unaware of the pet name he had just used.
She couldn't help the warm feeling that seemed to spread across her body as she blushed. "I know. I'm thinking of making it a profession." She joked as they both snickered before talking about the general dullness of their respective breaks.